Art sees, hears and believes survivors

OUT of the Darkness: A Survivor’s Journey is the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s new major exhibition, exploring institutional child sexual abuse.

Curated by survivor Robert House, the show features the work of many national artists who are fellow survivors or allies, and some of his own creative pieces.

House has commissioned and showcased the artworks exploring the broad issue of child abuse, both physical and psychological, and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, as a way of unpacking and representing his own personal, haunting, traumatic experiences.

It is one survivor’s response, which does not speak on behalf of others.

“In my orphanage I remember looking out of these little windows. I was very young but even at that age, with the abuse and horrors that were going on, I was determined that I was going to get justice,” House said.

“Kudos to Ballarat for taking this on. It’s about taking your suffering, trauma and triggers, and using them to your advantage, to bring about a better world. The child’s voice is now validated.

“In time, people can look back on this whole collection. Art transcends beyond us.”

Across three spaces, Out of the Darkness depicts individuals and groups linked to child sexual abuse, heroes, survivors and their stories, alleged perpetrators and those who have been charged or convicted.

John Forrest, Doug Heslop, Kaff-eine, Scott Marsh, James Money, Sassy Park, Michael Peck, Glen Pierce, Rodney Pople, Marcus Wills, Kelly Hussey-Smith, and Glenn Morgan are just some of the featured artists, presenting paintings, sculptures, photography and more.

Care Leavers Australasia Network vice-president Frank Golding is one of House’s heroes and change-makers, also a survivor.

“My wife has done a painting, and for me it’s a story that’s really important. I’m an 80-something-year-old man but my childhood lives in me; it’s not something you can just forget about,” he said.

“She called it Unfinished Business and I think that’s exactly right, because the ribbons represent the current protest movement that goes on, but it’s against the background of institutional life with three boys not seeing their parents for 12 years, and living a life of dread, wondering if tonight is their night.

“This whole exhibition resonates with me, and there’s a diversity of dramatic, emotional expression. The catholic church is prominent, but we mustn’t forget dreadful things happened in the non-denominal institutions too… The protestants, the Salvation Army.”

Mr Golding hopes Out of the Darkness will contribute to the global movement working to ensure this part of history is never repeated.

“It’s a worldwide phenomenon. Abuse of children has got to be known, told and voiced, but it’s got to be stopped,” he said.

The intensity of the content does escalate as attendees move through the spaces, looking at heroes, the idea of the childhood self, and George Pell.

There will be path directions and warnings to assist viewers in case they are uncomfortable, and do not wish to continue.

AGB curator Julie McLaren said the opening words of the exhibition are to survivors.

“We see you, we hear you, and we believe you. By putting on this exhibition, we are saying that we support survivors and are taking action in a way that a Gallery can,” she said.

The Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault is available via 5320 3933, if you may need support during your visit to the exhibition.